Dolly Parton’s tour bus is now the ultimate suite. Guests can book a stay at “Suite 1986” Tour Bus Experience, Dolly’s favorite home away from home for 15 years. The Prevost tour bus was recently acquired by Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and transformed into a suite that sits on the property overlooking the beautiful Smoky Mountains where Dolly grew up.
Suite 1986 feels like Dolly with its bright pink decor, sparkly jewelry and shoes, and glamorous details. It was designed by Parton and her sisters and gives guests a unique glimpse into her life on the road. “I have homes all over the United States,” Dolly once said. “But my favorite place is the bus because that way I can just feel those wheels rolling.” She wrote her Backwoods Barbie album as well as 9 to 5: The Musical in the comfort of the bus, plus some books and scripts for television shows and movies.
There are special amenities that come along with this unique stay. Suite 1986 features dedicated concierge service for the entire length of stay, the chance to sample one-of-a-kind food offerings created by the resort’s award-winning culinary team, and customized keepsakes to take home as souvenirs. The tour bus sleeps two guests, but each reservation also includes a room at DreamMore Resort, which can accommodate up to four additional guests.
The tour bus was customized to ensure Parton and her friends traveled in comfort and ease. It was specially adapted and upgraded so Dolly could do two of her favorite things, write and cook, from anywhere in the country. To install a full-size refrigerator in place of the smaller size that comes standard in most of these vehicles, the bus’s windshield had to be removed and then replaced. For closet space, three of the bus’s six standard bunk beds were removed and replaced with a special closet to accommodate all of her glitter and rhinestones. A custom bathtub and electric doors were added to transform it into a luxury suite on wheels. Dolly also loved to show off her wig cabinet, which is still on display.
There’s a two-night minimum stay for Suite 1986 and a starting rate of $10,000. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Dollywood Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dolly’s enterprises. In part, it funds Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which gifts free books to children from birth to age 5 as part of an ongoing effort to instill in everyone a passion for reading. So far, more than two million children have benefitted from the program.
The bus provides easy access to Dollywood, the theme park she established here in 1986 (hence the bus’s new name) to provide both a source of employment for residents and a spark of joy and inspiration for the millions of visitors who are drawn to the region.Guests interested in this unique experience in East Tennessee can book and learn more at the Dollywood website.
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